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This is a single-site, investigator-initiated, open-label, randomized/controlled clinical trial to compare the viral load response in plasma (and, in a subset of subjects, in gastrointestinal lymphoid tissue reservoirs) in subjects with acute/early HIV-1 infection treated with 12 weeks of raltegravir-based versus efavirenz-based ART (each combined with tenofovir/emtricitabine). Subjects will receive a self-limited course of therapy rather than a commitment to life-long HAART, as has been the experimental approach in a variety of clinical protocols in the United States and Europe. Subjects will complete a 12 week course of therapy, and those who meet treatment-response and safety criteria will then undergo a similarly intensive period of virology and immunology monitoring to compare the timing and dynamics of any observed virologic rebound following the treatment intervention.

Mean WBC count for all subjects as determined by standard lab procedures at 2 months after starting study drug as well as range. The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL).

Mean WBC count of all subjects as determined by standard lab procedures at 4 months after starting study drug as well as range. The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL).

Mean WBC count of all subjects as determined by standard lab procedures at 6 months after starting study drug as well as range. The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL).

Mean WBC count of all subjects as determined by standard lab procedures at 8 months after starting study drug as well as range. The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL).

Mean WBC count of all subjects as determined by standard lab procedures at 10 months after starting study drug as well as range. The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL).

Mean WBC count of all subjects as determined by standard lab procedures at 12 months after starting study drug as well as range. The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL).

Mean WBC count of all subjects as determined by standard lab procedures at 14 months after starting study drug as well as range. The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL).

Mean hematocrit of all subjects at 2 months after starting study drug. The hematocrit, also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is the volume percentage (%) of red blood cells in blood. It is normally 45% for men and 40% for women.

Mean hematocrit of all subjects at 4 months after starting study drug. The hematocrit, also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is the volume percentage (%) of red blood cells in blood. It is normally 45% for men and 40% for women.

Mean hematocrit of all subjects at 6 months after starting study drug. The hematocrit, also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is the volume percentage (%) of red blood cells in blood. It is normally 45% for men and 40% for women.

Mean hematocrit of all subjects at 8 months after starting study drug. The hematocrit, also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is the volume percentage (%) of red blood cells in blood. It is normally 45% for men and 40% for women.

Mean hematocrit of all subjects at 10 months after starting study drug. The hematocrit, also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is the volume percentage (%) of red blood cells in blood. It is normally 45% for men and 40% for women.

Mean hematocrit of all subjects at 12 months after starting study drug. The hematocrit, also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is the volume percentage (%) of red blood cells in blood. It is normally 45% for men and 40% for women.

Mean hematocrit of all subjects at 14 months after starting study drug. The hematocrit, also known as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction (EVF), is the volume percentage (%) of red blood cells in blood. It is normally 45% for men and 40% for women.

The mean platelet count between treament groups at 2 months after starting study drug. The calculated number of platelets in a volume of blood, usually expressed as platelets per cubic millimeter (cmm) of whole blood. Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. They can also be counted by use of a microscope. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 100 per liter).

The mean platelet count between treatment groups at 4 months after starting study drug. The calculated number of platelets in a volume of blood, usually expressed as platelets per cubic millimeter (cmm) of whole blood. Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. They can also be counted by use of a microscope. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 109 per liter).

The mean platelet count between treatment groups at 6 months after starting study drug. The calculated number of platelets in a volume of blood, usually expressed as platelets per cubic millimeter (cmm) of whole blood. Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. They can also be counted by use of a microscope. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 109 per liter).

The mean platelet count between treatment groups at 8 months after starting study drug. The calculated number of platelets in a volume of blood, usually expressed as platelets per cubic millimeter (cmm) of whole blood. Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. They can also be counted by use of a microscope. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 109 per liter).

The mean platelet count between treatment groups at 10 months after starting study drug. The calculated number of platelets in a volume of blood, usually expressed as platelets per cubic millimeter (cmm) of whole blood. Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. They can also be counted by use of a microscope. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 109 per liter).

The mean platelet count between treatment groups at 12 months after starting study drug. The calculated number of platelets in a volume of blood, usually expressed as platelets per cubic millimeter (cmm) of whole blood. Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. They can also be counted by use of a microscope. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 109 per liter).

The mean platelet count between treatment groups at 14 months after starting study drug. The calculated number of platelets in a volume of blood, usually expressed as platelets per cubic millimeter (cmm) of whole blood. Platelets are the smallest cell-like structures in the blood and are important for blood clotting and plugging damaged blood vessels. Platelet counts are usually done by laboratory machines that also count other blood elements such as the white and red cells. They can also be counted by use of a microscope. Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter (or 150 - 400 x 109 per liter).

Mean CD4 count between groups 1 month after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 2 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 3 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 4 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 5 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 6 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 7 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 8 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 9 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 10 months after starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

Mean CD4 count between groups 11 months after of starting study drug. CD4 cells are types of white blood cells called T lymphocytes or T cells that fight infection. CD4 counts are most often used to evaluate the immune system of a person diagnosed with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to help stage and monitor progression of the disease and monitor effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment. A CD4 count is typically reported as an absolute level or count of cells (expressed as cells per cubic millimeter of blood). A normal CD4 count ranges from 410-1,590 cells/mm3 in adults and teens. Sometimes results are expressed as a percent of total lymphocytes (CD4 percent).

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Ages Eligible for Study:

19 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects 19 years of age or older who meet the NIH Acute Infection and Early Disease Research Program (AIEDRP) definition of acute or early HIV-1 infection. Briefly, acute HIV-1 infection is defined as > 5000 copies per milliliter of HIV RNA and one of the following documented within a 7 day period of the initial positive PCR-based assay: 1) a negative HIV-1 EIA or 2) a positive EIA with a negative or indeterminant HIV-1 Western Blot test (interpreted based on current CDC guidelines). For the purposes of this protocol, early HIV-1 infection is defined as detectable HIV RNA by PCR-based assay, a positive HIV EIA, a positive HIV-1 Western blot, and one of the following: 1) a documented negative HIV EIA in the preceding 6 months or 2) an HIV detuned EIA standardized optical density measurement (defined as sample OD - negative control OD/ positive control OD) of < 1.0 within 14 days of the positive HIV EIA (consistent with acute infection occurring in the past 120 days).

Exclusion Criteria:

Lack consistent evidence of seroconversion or documented appropriate antibody testing for persistent HIV infection during the screening and early follow-up period.

AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) > 5 x upper limit of normal. Repeat of a laboratory screening test will be allowed for test results that are unexpected based on documented prior laboratory results or to monitor declining trends that may relate to the primary retroviral syndrome.

Have any severe medical illness that the investigators feel will interfere with the ability to take therapy or that will result in making therapy too risky for the subject. This includes active tuberculosis treatment, severe liver disease due to alcoholism or viral hepatitis, or unstable cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.

Have significant psychiatric illness or ongoing substance abuse that, in the opinion of the investigators, would compromise the ability of the subject to provide adequate informed consent or to adhere to the study procedures safely and consistently.

Women who are pregnant or actively breastfeeding at the time of screening.

Men or women who are actively attempting to become pregnant, or who are unable or unwilling to institute adequate birth control measures during the entire course of this treatment protocol.